Halton police on bicycles noticed the man riding what they thought was an electric bike and asked him to pull over.

The man on the e-bike did not stop, but instead began driving dangerously to evade them, police say, including driving on the downtown Oakville sidewalks.

Police then noticed the man's e-bike was altered — so much so that it qualified as a motor vehicle and not a bicycle.

The officers on mountain bikes did not pursue him after he sped away, for safety reasons. Police did however catch up with him once he abandoned the modified e-bike and was running away on foot.

The 46-year-old Oakville man was charged with;

Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Failing to stop for a police officer.

Operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Failing to properly wear a helmet.

Operating a vehicle on a sidewalk.

And other traffic-related offences.

The man's licence was suspended also after police allege they found evidence of alcohol consumption while he was operating the vehicle. The modified e-bike was seized and impounded, pending completion of the court process.